Medical Laboratory Technician
Associate in Applied Science
Medical laboratory technicians participate in helping find the causes of illness and disease by performing tests like microbiology, urinalysis, hematology, and chemistry. Medical laboratory technicians, or MLTs, work in the laboratories of hospitals, healthcare clinics, medical diagnostic labs, or physician offices.
700
Scholarships available – and one might have your name on it
Instruction in the program prepares students for the work they’ll be doing after graduation as well as the board examination required for employment. Clinical rotations are offered at over 20 Illinois laboratories in the Central Illinois region.
Admissions Office
100% job or education placement.
Network with other students through ICC student organizations including the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Medical Laboratory Technician
COMPLETION TIME
24 Months
if Full Time
5 Semesters65 Total Credit Hours
What if I attend part-time?
Our Student Success Advisors help with an academic plan that works for you.
ESTIMATED COST
$10,400
+ supplies & fees
Based on 2024-25
What financial assistance can I receive?
Find the plan right for you by connecting with our Financial Aid office.
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
6 Students
average per class
Small class sizes mean more individual attention and a higher rate of success.
View the College Catalog to see a complete list of classes for this program.
Meet Our Students and Alumni
It’s an intense program emphasizing critical thinking and practical skills, but our graduates are prepared to enter the workforce and begin their career. This program is perfect for anyone looking to remain behind the scenes but be involved in patient care.
Vincent Strow, Assistant Professor, Health Careers
How Do I Get Into the Medical Laboratory Technician Program?
Take your love of science and interest in healthcare into a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Talk to an Admissions representative to learn how to get started.
- Complete our quick admissions application.
- Submit health science application.
- Apply for financial aid (FAFSA).
- Apply for ICC Scholarships. Just 1 application for over 700 scholarships.
- Mandatory observation in a clinical laboratory or MLT student laboratory, or completion of MLT 100 or MLT 110.
What Can I Expect as a Medical Laboratory Technician Student?
- A quality program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Graduates of the program earn an Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification (BOC) Exam of the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- Graduates may qualify to apply to the Histotechnology program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Histotechnicians prepare tissue samples for disease diagnosis by a pathologist.
- Alumni of the program work in hospital laboratories at UnityPoint Health, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, and other regional hospitals and laboratories.
Program Outcomes
NAACLS requires the publication of program outcomes for the last 3 consecutive years. The benchmarks which must be met to retain accreditation are:
- Graduation rates – NAACLS requires that 70% of students who begin the final half of the program successfully graduate.
- ASCP Board of Certification Exam Pass Rates – NAACLS requires a 75% or greater pass rate.
- Graduate Placement Rates – NAACLS requires that 70% of graduates either find employment in the field or closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year.
Graduation Rate (based on final half of the program)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. who began the final half | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| No. who began final half and graduated | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Graduation Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 3 Year Average | 100% |
Board Certification Exam Pass Rate
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of graduates | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| No. who sat for BOC within 1 year | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| No. who passed BOC within 1 year | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| % Passed | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 3 Year Average | 100% |
Graduation Placement Rate (Employment)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. graduates who responded | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| No. placed | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Placement rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 3 Year Average | 100% |
Accreditation
The MLT Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, Tel. (773) 714-8880, Fax (773) 714-8886 or email [email protected].
Additional Information
- Vincent Strow, MLT Program Director, Full-Time Faculty
- Student Handbook
- Mission Statement
- Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
- Essential Skills and Abilities
- Tuition and Fees
- Catalog and Student Handbook
- Graduation and Board of Certification Examination Eligibility – Once all program requirements are met, students graduate from the MLT program, earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technician, and are eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification (BOC) Exam of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), to become certified as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). Graduation is not contingent upon passing the BOC exam.
Additional Opportunities
Innovative Bridge to Health Careers
The Innovative Bridge to Health Careers Program is an 8-week program that will engage participants in training designed to introduce and academically prepare them for entry into the various health science career paths.
How Am I Going to Manage This?
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What if I am working while going to school?
We have you covered. Many of our students are working adults who balance life and school. We have great resources on campus to help keep you going!
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What are my options for funding my education?
Do this first: fill out and file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Even if you don’t want federal aid, this document is used by many scholarship and grant programs to evaluate aid packages.
Look for scholarships and grants first because usually they don’t have to be paid back. The ICC Foundation sponsors some scholarships, and grants may be available from Illinois or federal programs. Other organizations also offer scholarships, and we can help you research those opportunities.
Federally guaranteed student loans can be a smart way to fund college. Think about your transfer plans and what your career looks like. Some sources recommend that you cap your borrowing at the level of what you (realistically!) can expect to earn at your first job after college. So, research careers and pay, too.
Of course, savings, jobs, and work-study are key parts of your budget. Your employer may offer tuition reimbursement. Find the tools to make a complete plan for paying for school.